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Petite Dressing

Dress for your Body Type and Height

Last Updated on December 22, 2022 By Valery

The Comprehensive Tops Guide for the Hourglass Body Shape

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Having an hourglass figure is a blessing, as you have the most coveted body shape. But being an hourglass also means it comes with your own set of challenges when it comes to styling, and choosing the right tops is key to flatter your feminine figure.

Table of Contents

  • Styling goal of the hourglass shape
  • Off-the-shoulder tops
  • V-neckline tops
  • Belted tops
  • Wrap tops
  • Peplum tops
  • Fitted tops
  • Wear tops with vertical stripes
  • Set-in sleeves
  • Avoid bell sleeves
  • Avoid wearing tunic tops
  • Avoid turtleneck

Styling goal of the hourglass shape

tops for hourglass

The hourglass body shape is defined by a woman’s body measurement. A typical hourglass figure woman has a full bust, a small waist, and wide hips.

The hourglass shape has a naturally balanced figure that should be appreciated and embraced. Do not settle for just any top as not all tops are designed to flatter and uplift your feminine frame.

It is important that the hourglass shape should invest in tops that help to accomplish the following:

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME

Accentuate the waist

The waist of the hourglass woman is very unique because it is small so wear tops that would nip it in. That way there is more emphasis around the waist and the eyes is drawn to the defined waist of the woman.

Show off the natural balanced shape

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME (11)

Tips to remember when choosing a top

The best top that can be used to show off your naturally balanced shape should follow the lines of your figure.

The woman with the hourglass body shape could also achieve a figure-lengthening effect with the right top.

Avoid any bulk in the chest

Since the hourglass body shape is naturally balanced, you should wear designs that would further retain your structure. Bulky tops would alter your frame and make you shapeless so turn far away from them by not investing nor storing them in your wardrobe.

The following tips would give you a proper direction to choose the right designs for your hourglass frame. 

Off-the-shoulder tops

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME-off-shoulder

You should never turn away from an off-the-shoulder top because they are great for embracing your neckline. Their versatility makes them an easy-to-pair style of top for the hourglass shape.

They create a width around the upper body that helps the shoulder to properly align with the curvy hips. Instead of keeping the eyes fixed on the bust, more focus is drawn to the shoulder line of the woman.

Your naturally balanced hourglass shape is better improved when you wear an off-the-shoulder top on your figure. It helps you maintain a sophisticated silhouette that makes you very comfortable and chic in summer.  

V-neckline tops

Investing in the V-neckline top is never a wrong idea for a woman with an hourglass body shape. This top style helps you look sharp because of the vertical effect they create on your upper figure.

It is one of the best necklines that gives the woman a whole lot of confidence that would rightly flatter the entire body frame.

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME-v neck

Why opt for V-neck tops

The v-neckline top has a slimming neckline that offers the woman a balanced silhouette.

It highlights your neckline and keeps more focus on the chest region of the hourglass frame.

Belted tops

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME-belted

It is known that belts are a major staple in every woman’s wardrobe and pairing them with your shape is a great style sense for the hourglass shape. Belted tops are a new-age vibe that gives you a chic and sophisticated look while still focusing its effect on the waistline.

While some tops do not come with belts, others do but you should make sure that the belted tops you wear do not have wide belts. Also, the belted top would further help define the waistline if it is of a thin size.

The woman with an hourglass shape can keep more focus of the peering eyes on the defined waist if the belt has a contrasting color from the top. Bigger belt sizes would likely increase volume in your upper half and distort your naturally balanced frame.   

Wrap tops

One of the most fashionable top styles that are designed for the hourglass shape is the wrap top so grab them and make a wow statement with them. They give the perfect feminine vibe to your body frame so your natural look could be sustained.

Wrap tops have a body-hugging capability that helps to create a uniform balance in both the upper and lower body figure. The wrap top properly defines the small waist and still draws focus to the center of the body because of the V-neckline its features.

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME-wrap top

Wrap tops are the best

Wrap tops are a very stylish and sophisticated top style that would remain a flattering trendy style for the hourglass body shape.

You are encouraged to own a few of them as a major wardrobe top style if you would love to always appear outstanding.

Peplum tops

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME-peplum

The peplum top design fits snugly at the waist before flaring outwards over the hips of the woman with the hourglass shape. The peplum top is a flattering top style that helps to accentuate the waist of the woman.

They are great styles of tops that help to conceal lumps around the waist without adding unnecessary volume to it. Owning them is necessary especially because they are cute and versatile top styles that align properly with your shape.

You should make sure that the part that sticks to the waist is well-fitted so your overall shape can be improved. A peplum top is another top style that does not cause any form of distortion in the figure of the woman with an hourglass body shape.  

Fitted tops

A fitted top can make a difference in your body frame and that’s why it’s important to maintain your hourglass shape using a fitted top. Most fitted tops are usually tailored to your exact shape and size so every form of volume in your figure would be eliminated.

This sort of top is well-designed to define the small waist of the hourglass frame by making it more visible. The top also has an elongating effect on your feminine body so make them one of your favorites.

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME-fitted

Why opt for fitted tops

A fitted top does not mean it has to be super tight and uncomfortable on the feminine figure.

It just simply means that the top has to just lay properly over your figure so you don’t appear unstructured.

Wear tops with vertical stripes

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME -avoid vertical stripes

Stripes are designs that the hourglass body frame should rightly appreciate especially the vertical striped tops. It is a very simple top style that has a visual effect of elongation on the upper body.

It is also important that the vertical stripes on the top are not too wide so the lengthening effect it gives can be more efficient. Tops with vertical stripes should be a better pick than horizontal striped tops.

A vertical striped top would help define your waistline while still keeping you edgy and stylish in summer. You can appreciate your shape with the vertical stripe top so make sure you include them in your wardrobe. 

Set-in sleeves

The sleeve follows the natural line of the figure without having to add volume to the upper half of the hourglass woman. They are great sleeve styles that would improve your look and the natural balance of your figure.

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME -set in sleeve

Expectations with set-in sleeve

Set-in sleeves are designed to be joined to the body of the top at the shoulder.

This type of sleeve does not bring the focus of the eyes to the bust region of the woman.

With a set-in sleeve, the structure of the woman is well defined as it further helps to strengthen the shoulder line.   

Avoid bell sleeves

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME -avoid bell sleeve

It is very important that you do not wear voluminous sleeves like bell sleeves if you have an hourglass shape. Bell sleeves are too flashy sleeve designs that could easily give the eyes the illusion of weight in the upper body.

This sleeve design is a less flattering sleeve design that could add cascading volume to the bust of the hourglass woman. You should aim at reducing the volume in your upper figure and not increasing it with the bell sleeve.

The sleeve may look fashionable but it is important that you know that they walk against your figure. There are more desirable sleeve designs but the bell sleeve and any other voluminous sleeve are not attractive for the hourglass woman.  

Avoid wearing tunic tops

If glowing up with a stylish top is your goal then you should gladly avoid wearing a tunic top on your hourglass body frame. It is designed to increase the volume around your upper body by hiding your defined waist.

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME -avoid tunic tops

Why you should not opt for tunic tops

An imbalance in body proportion is easily achieved when a woman with an hourglass shape puts on a tunic top.

They should not be a top to be pronounced in your fashion diary if you have an intention to appreciate your figure.

Avoid turtleneck

BEST TOPS FOR HOURGLASS BODY FRAME -avoid turtle neck

The turtleneck top is a high neckline design that the hourglass shape should avoid adding to the wardrobe. The top would make the chest region create some sort of added volume that you would not appreciate.

Increased volume in the bust area with a turtle neckline top could distort the natural balance in the hourglass body frame. Also, it would also pull the eyes to notice your bust and that could be very uncomfortable.

The turtleneck tops are not flattering tops that can offer you a taste of elegance and sophistication for any occasion.

Hello there! My name is Chi Li, 5'2", founder of PETITE DRESSING, the clothing line for women 5'4" & under. Are you petite and have you been frustrated with what to wear?
This is an issue few truly understand and even fewer brands truly address.
Being petite myself, I have been writing about fashion for short women since 2016 and my brand petitedressing.com has touched the lives of millions.
My styling concepts for petite women not only focus on the perfect fit but also on flattering & elongating the petite frame for a lean silhouette, optimizing the proportions.
Shop my clothing line here.

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